Plugged in: apartment communities explore broadband technology: in a soft rental market, broadband Internet access may be one more amenity that provides a leg up on the competition. Kessler reviews the options of wiring a property for broadband and the pros and cons of each method..

Current and future expectations of a soft rental market are forcing property owners of all portfolio types to become increasingly focused on providing an added attraction--broadband Internet access. For some multifamily housing communities, this is achieved in cooperation with local cable companies

such as Comcast, Cox and Time Warner, using cable modern technology. For others, the local telephone company is the solution with its DSL (digital subscriber line) technology. These services can be delivered over an existing wiring infrastructure, even on some of the oldest properties. In some cases, however, the service is either unavailable from telephone and cable providers, or the inside wiring infrastructure is incapable of carrying broadband services.

Additional hurdles include gaining legal access to the existing cable television or telephone wiring. Depending on myriad variables, owners may not be able to gain access without a protracted battle; however, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provides certain regulations and oversight to help property owners access the wiring.

Briefly stated, the FCC and certain state regulatory overseers directly control if, when and how an owner can access existing cable and telephone wiring on a property. As such, it is critical for owners to understand all federal and state regulations on this subject prior to developing a plan for integrating broadband services on a property. (See "Building a Pathway" on page 27.)

Overcoming Obstacles

Other than through local cable or telephone companies, broadband Internet access can be brought to residents with Internet service providers (ISPs) and private cable operators (PCOs) who specialize in services for apartment communities. Companies such as Noment, InterQuest, Dmisi, MDU Communications and MediaWorks use various technologies to provide broadband Internet and digital video services to apartment residents. These and other companies are continuing to evolve the quality of services they provide and the technologies they use to create broadband data solutions for existing properties.

Service providers and property owners are often forced into becoming innovative with their strategies to overcome inadequate wiring infrastructures, state and federal regulatory hurdles and prudent budgetary concerns. They are turning to technologies and strategies that allow them to avoid legal battles for access to existing cable television or telephone wiring and typically, the need for significant capital expenditures in upgrading existing wiring.